Exciting news: the 2020 Southern Trove Visitor Guide is hot off the press! The guide features insider tips on things to see, do and eat in the Channel, Bruny Island, Huon Valley and Far South Tasmania. Get the low down on exploring the region’s towns, waterways, wilderness, art (including Project X), history and heritage, eateries, markets and events, walks, parks and reserves, and more. The guide also includes tips on where to stay.
Download the 2020 Southern Trove Visitor Guide here or pick up a hard copy from your local Visitor Information Centre (yes, it’s free!). We’ve pulled out some of the highlights below—happy adventuring!
The d’Entrecasteaux Channel
The Channel Highway is one of Australia’s great (yet lesser-known) coastal drives, and begins just a short drive south from Hobart. The peaceful seaside towns along the way are home to creative communities, artisan producers, and lovely walks (including some dog friendly tracks).
Things to do/eat:
- Join Tasmanian Jet Ski Adventures for a thrilling tour from Coningham Beach to Bruny Island.
- Visit Grandvewe Cheeses to meet ‘the girls’, taste the ewenique range of sheep cheeses and other goodies, and try Hartshorn Distillery’s range of sheep whey spirits.
- Watch a weaver at work and purchase a handcrafted treasure at Woodbridge Hill Handweaving Studio.
- Walk the sculpture trail at Art Farm Birchs Bay and enjoy refreshments at Five Bob Cafe.
- Explore Tasmania’s largest landscaped native garden at Inverawe Native Gardens, Margate.
- Enjoy a fun day out on the lunch tour with Peppermint Bay Hotel and Cruises.
- Visit Hartzview Vineyard to treat yourself in the cafe, taste the range of wines, liqueurs and other goodies, and explore the Heritage Pickers Hut Village.
Where to stay:
- Stay in peaceful, secluded accommodation in the Hartzview Vineyard Homestead.
- The Snug Beach Cabin & Caravan Park offers self-contained cabins, powered sites and unpowered sites set amongst landscaped gardens by the beach.
- Waterview Gardens B&B boasts stunning views over North West Bay to Bruny Island.
- Stay in private self-contained studio apartments in an idyllic setting at Oyster Cove Chalet.
Bruny Island
Bruny Island is just a 35-minute drive and short ferry ride from Hobart, yet feels a world away with beautiful beaches, walks, and gourmet produce. Catch a sunrise or sunset from the top of the Neck, watch the little penguins come in to nest, spot a white wallaby around Adventure Bay, and explore the South Bruny National Park.
Things to do/eat:
- Join Bruny Island Cruises on their award-winning eco-tour to get up close to Bruny’s giant sea cliffs, resident fur seals, seabirds and migrating whales (in season).
- Join the Bruny Island Traveller gourmet food tour from Hobart for a day of ultimate island bounty indulgence and sightseeing.
- Treat yourself to a scrumptious meal featuring island produce and taste the local drops at Bruny Island Premium Wines, Bar & Grill.
Where to stay:
- The Captain Cook Holiday Park at Adventure Bay offers villas, family cabins, sites and camping areas.
- Book in with pet-friendly Camping and Glamping at Bruny Island to enjoy a secluded, waterfront spot bordering the South Bruny National Park.
- Bruny Ocean Cottage offers fully self-contained holiday accommodation for families and couples.
The Huon Valley
The rolling hills of the Huon Valley are just a 30-minute drive south from Hobart. The region is known for its creative community, generational fruit growers and freshly-picked produce. Plan your trip around a valley event (such as the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Fest or the Cygnet Folk Festival), enjoy the seasonal bounty and artisan wares, and keep an eye out for roadside stalls.
Things to do:
- Pop into the Huon Valley Visitor Centre and the Geeveston Visitor Centre for information and travel tips (and to see the Augmented Reality platypus at Geeveston).
- Enjoy a thrilling jet boat tour (hello 360-degree spins) with Huon River Jet Boats.
- Join Yukon Tours aboard their traditional sailing ketch for a relaxing Calm Water Cruise on the Huon River.
- Take a workshop guided tour of the Tasmanian Wooden Boat Centre at Franklin.
- Shop for beautiful clothing, accessories and gifts at Three Twigs at the Cygnet Old Bank.
- Observe bees in the glass hive, enjoy a leatherwood honey ice cream or browse honey gifts and treats at The Honey Pot (and Bruny Island Honey).
- Keep an eye out for the reopening of Tahune Adventures (date TBC—register to get notified by email).
Where to eat:
- Visit Frank’s Cider House & Cafe to tour the heritage orchard tour, taste the delicious cider and yummy food, and browse the museum.
- Pop into Willie Smith’s Apple Shed, fuel up in the ciderhouse and eatery, tour Charles Oates Distillery, visit the apple museum, and check out the weekly Saturday artisan and produce market (10am – 1pm).
- Visit the local wineries, including Two Bud Spur Vineyard, Home Hill Winery & Restaurant, and Kate Hill Wines.
- Choose from the delicious range of sourdough breads, cakes, vegetarian and meat pies, soups and sandwiches from the Summer Kitchen Bakery.
- Treat yourself to something scrumptious at the Conservatory Cafe in the Cygnet Old Bank.
- Learn to cook Italian-style at The Farmhouse Kitchen.
Where to stay:
- Stay in elegant B&B accommodation at the Cygnet Old Bank.
- Enjoy an amazing getaway at Whispering Spirit Holiday Cottages and Miniature Pony Stud.
- Port Huon Cottages offer self-contained accommodation with stunning views over the Huon River and Hartz Mountains.
- Huon Valley Escapes offer two eco-retreats in nature: Buttongrass Retreat and Huon Bush Retreats.
- Find serenity at the luxurious Ambience on Huon B&B, set on 6 acres with views of the Huon River and Hartz Mountains.
Tasmania’s Far South
Escape the crowds in Far South Tasmania, just a 1–2 hour drive south from Hobart. Discover remote wilderness, dolomite caves, fishing villages, pristine beaches, and unspoilt coastline. Find the bronze whale sculpture at Cockle Creek, watch a sunrise over the water at Dover, play in the playground at Geeveston, go bushwalking, and check out large scale public art installations.
Things to do/eat:
- Visit Hastings Caves & Thermal Springs to tour the cave, float in the 28ºC naturally-heated spring water swimming pool, explore the forest walks, and make use of the picnic facilities.
- Cruise the south with Peninsula Cruising’s intimate lunch cruises, private tours and fishing charters.
- Join Esperance Adventures for an easy flat water kayaking tour on the beautiful, sheltered waterways of Far South Tasmania (and the Huon).
- Visit the Bakehouse Distillery to pick up a bottle of evoke, the world’s first sassafras spirit.
- Enjoy hearty country-style meals at the Southport Hotel.
Where to stay:
- Essentially Tas have a beautiful range of accommodation suitable for all needs, including: The Peninsula Experience, Driftwood Cottages, Fair Winds, Rock Lobster, Esperance Landing, The Shackeau, and Tides Reach.
- Stay in a modern, spacious ensuite room at award-winning Ashdowns of Dover Bed and Breakfast and enjoy warm hospitality and delicious cooked breakfasts.
- Peaceful Lune Mill River House offers unique self-catering facilities for up to 8 people on the pristine Lune River.
- The Southport Hotel & Caravan Park offers a range of accommodation including motel units, cabins, powered and unpowered sites.
For more tips, browse things to do, where to stay, eat and drink, upcoming events, and our blog.
We love it when you share your adventures with us. Tag @southerntrovetasmania and use #SouthernTroveTasmania and we’ll share some of our favourite photos on Facebook, Instagram and in our Blog.
Related posts:
50 Things to Do in Tasmania’s Huon Valley & Far South
Artists, Markers & Growers of Southern Tasmania
Explore Southern Tasmania from the Water
Best Walks in the Huon Valley & Far South Tasmania
A Weekend Away in Tasmania’s Far South
Explore Large-Scale Art Installations in the Huon
50 Things to Do with Kids
Header image:
Supplied by Grandvewe Cheeses & Hartshorn Distillery
Words:
Isabel Galloway